Ursa A.

Background

About Ursa A.

I am a Certified Professional Dog Trainer, Knowledge-and Skills Assessed, and Certified Dog Behavior Consultant in Denver, Colorado. I began my career in 2001 as an apprentice to a well established trainer in Louisville, KY. Following the cues of the experts in my field, I am committed to using force-free, science-backed training methods. In addition to teaching group classes and in-home private lessons for dog owners, I have experience managing behavior departments at two high-volume open-admissions animal shelters: the Kentucky Humane Society and the Denver Dumb Friends League. I was also a member of the Behavior Team for the nutritional research facility operated by Hill's Pet Nutrition. This has allowed me not only to sharpen and develop my skills in a wide variety of settings, but also exposed me to nearly every imaginable behavior issue. While I specialize in dogs, I've worked with a variety of other species using positive-reinforcement based methods, including cats, horses, goats, pigs, chickens, turkeys, and rats. I am committed to continuing education and ensuring that my knowledge of dog behavior and training is up-to-date and that I am using the most humane methods. I am a regular attendee of some of the most well-known behavior conferences in the country, including the Association of Professional Dog Trainers annual conference, ClickerExpo, and other lectures and workshops by well-respected behaviorists. My professional inspirations include Patricia McConnell, Ken Ramirez, Susan Friedman, and Chirag Patel. I love training dogs, however I also love working with people. The client connection is important to me, and I strive to help owners better understand their dogs' behaviors, needs and instincts, and create a foundation of trust and respect in the relationship.